Martinez is worth an extra man, says McCarthy

James McCarthy revels in confidence coming from his manager

He once dubbed his manager a tactical genius, so perhaps it’s no surprise that James McCarthy can’t wait to work under Roberto Martinez again for Everton FC.

The midfielder credits Martinez with extraordinary powers of motivation, and he has an FA Cup winners medal – secured against the odds after a famous Wigan victory over Manchester City in May – to underline that belief.

Indeed ‘belief’ is the very word which Glasgow-born McCarthy says sums up the Everton boss’ approach, and it is a quality with which he super-charges his players.

“I think it’s something the lads at Everton have noticed already even in such a short period of time, he gives you a confidence, a deep belief,” says the 22-year-old.

“All the players have been speaking about it. The way he sets up is so smart, it’s as if you’re playing with an extra man at times.

“In the (FA Cup) final we had huge success even though everyone wrote us off beforehand. He just said go out and enjoy it. The way we were set up tactically was perfect and it worked magnificently.”

Evertonians will need no reminding of the shock quarter-final victory at Goodison which set Wigan on their route to Wembley last term, and McCarthy reckons the Latics’ adventurous spirit that day was no accident.

“He’s always saying that no matter what we should go out and play our football,” he says. “He had that drilled into everyone at Wigan and he had us believing that if we played our game we could turn anyone over.

“We deserved it on the day and it was a great team performance, which the gaffer got spot on.”

So far the Goodison faithful have only had one chance to judge Martinez’s methods in competitive action, with the jury still out after a frustrating 0-0 draw with West Brom.

Wigan Athletic's James McCarthy celebrates with the FA Cup

But ahead of the Blues’ second home game of the season against Chelsea on Saturday, when he could make his debut, McCarthy insists it will take time for Everton to fully adapt to their new manager's style.

“It will take time. It was the same at Wigan – it didn’t happen overnight,” says the player who arrived at the DW stadium at the same time as the Catalan in 2009.

“He loves his style and loves his players passing the ball which is something most teams are trying now.

“We’re a few games into the season and his ideas are beginning to get through.

“I watched the game against West Brom and the lads moved the ball about very well but just couldn’t get the goal. It will come.”

McCarthy believes his move to Everton further vindicates his decision to turn down Liverpool as a teenager.

The former Hamilton Academical starlet, who joined the Toffees from Wigan for an initial £13m last week, had a trial with the Reds at the age of 16.

But at the time McCarthy had just broken into the first team at Hamilton and he decided his career would be better served by continuing with them, rather than playing in the Reds’ reserves.

“There was talk of it (Liverpool). Obviously I went down for a week’s trial,” he says. “It wasn’t to be, I was too young at the time. I didn’t want to move away from home.

“To be honest, the way things have worked out, I am happy.”

Everton’s deal for McCarthy was completed close to the deadline on what proved a frantic final day of summer transfer activity.

The signings of McCarthy, Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku were all announced in the final moments of trading as Marouane Fellaini and Victor Anichebe exited.

McCarthy, speaking as he was officially unveiled as an Everton player at a press conference, admits it was a stressful day.

“It was very hectic. At times it goes through your head that it might not happen,” he says. “As time went on, it got to 10.30 at night and I was thinking to myself, ‘Is it going to happen or not?’

“Thankfully it did and I’m just delighted to be at such a great club.

“It is a great place to be. Since I heard they were interested I wanted to come here.”

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Alastair Machray

Alastair Machray was appointed editor of The Liverpool Echo in 2005 and is also editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He is a former editor of The Daily Post (Wales and England) and editor-in-chief of the company's Welsh operations. Married dad-of-two and keen golfer Alastair is one of the longest-serving newspaper editors in the country. His titles have won numerous awards and spearheaded numerous successful campaigns.